Balance-lock for waterways



'10 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) v

0. N. BUTT-0N. BALANCE LOOK FOR WATERWAYS.

Patented A r. '7, 1896.

.1 HQ 1 /N\/ENTOR WITNESSES ANDREW B.6RA"AN FHOTC-L|THD WASHINGTON DC(No Model.) 10 SheetsSheet 2.

G. N. DUTTON.

BALANCE LOOK FOR WATERWAYS.

No. 557,554. Paten ted Apr. 7, 1 896.

- Arinnzw sin/mm.wiidid-uniozwAsmns-m- 0c 3w t e e h s W e e h S m. N 0m m D N C m d o M 0 W BALANCE LOOK FOR WATERWAYS.

Patented Apr. '7, 1896.

4. war/Mi /NVEN% duo ANDREW BGRMMM. PHOTB-U'I'NQWASKINGTDILDYC.

10 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Modl i) G.N.DU TTON. BALANCE LOOK FOR WATERWAYS.

6' WI 9 I m A I l I I I I ll 0 I. I I \1 l T |HlH 1 I l l I l t l l I-ww m Z a i I I I I 1 1 M e M 1 l I I I l I I I I 1 I l 1 1 1| m y P I I1 i WITNESSES 6299M ANDREW B.GRAHAMJNUTUUDIQWASNING'WNJ C IO'SheetSSheet 5.

No Modl.)

G. N. 'DUTTON.

BALANCE LOOK FOR WATERWAYS.

W/ TNES SE8 ANDREW B.GRAHAM. PHOTDUTHQWASHINGWMDO.

(No Model.) .10 Sheets-Sheet 6. C. N. BUTTON.

BALANCE LOGK FOR WATERWAYS.

VV/TNESSES NTDR I //v f/m @m 7/ m,

MM 0 W ANDREW B GRAHAM. PHOTOUMQWASHINGTDN. D C.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 7.

0.. N. DUTTON. BALANCE LOOK FOR WATERWAYS.

No. 557,554. Patented Apr. 7, 1896.

. 1 Fig.13.

WI TNESSQ-IS ANDREW KGBMMM. PHU'IUUTNQWASNINGTDMD C.

(No ModeL) 10 sheetssheet 8. G. N. DUTTON.

BALANCE LOGK FOR WATERWAYS. I

No; 557,564. v Patented Apr.- 7 1896.

WITNESSES R ANDREW BfiliAHAM. PNOTO-UTNDYWASNINGTUMD C.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 9. C. N. DUTTON.

BALANCE LOOK FOR WATERWAYS. No. 557,564. 5 Patented Apr. 7, 1896.

WITNESSES (No Model.) IOSheets-Sheet 10.

0. N. BUTTON. BALANCE LOOK FOR WATERWAYS.

ented Apr. 7 1896.

NORM EGRMMM. PMOTOYIJTHQWASNI'NGTUND C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CIIAUNCEY N. DUTTON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

BALANCE-LOCK FOR WATERWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 5 5'7,564, dated April'7, 1896.

Application filed November 24:, 1894. Serial No. 529,885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OHAUNCEY N. DUTTON, engineer, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Pittsburg,in the county of Allegheny andState of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a certain new anduseful Improvement in Balance-Locks for \Vaterways, of which improvementthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to pneumatic balancelocks or elevators for raisingand lowering vessels from one level to another in waterways, and is animprovement in the class or type thereof which is set forth in LettersPatent of the United States No. 457,528, granted and issued to me underdate of August 11, 1891.

The object of my invention is to further facilitate and simplify theerection and operation of balance-locks of such type while retaining thestructural and operative advantages incident thereto.

To this end my improvement consists in certain novel devices andcombinations hereinafter fully set forth.

The principles of the pneumatic balance, as applied to looks in thepatent above mentioned, satisfactorily meet and overcome all theprincipal difficulties heretofore encountered in their oonstructicn andoperation. A lock wholly pneumatic in principle and operat-ion presents,however, in some cases certain difficulties in design and manipulationintimately associated with the delicacy of the balance obtained and thecushioned and yielding nature of the pneumatic support,

which, unless carefully guarded against, may cause such a lock to tendto sag and move downward or to vibrate under sudden increase of load andthe wave action unavoidable in the exit and entry of vessels, whileduring the period of its traverse there may be a tendency to pitching,tilting, and misalinement. To neutralize these detrimental tendencieswhere suchmight otherwise prevail and to insure uniform motion andperfect alinement during the period of manipulation, as well as toresist adverse wind and wave action, is-the special object of my presentin vention, theleading and characteristic features of which may begenerally described as follows:

As set forth in the patent above mentioned, I provide at the lock-site asuitable partition or head wall dividing the waterway and retaining thewater in the upper level, suitablygated openings being formed therein topermitpassage of vessels which are to be locked from one level to theother. Adjacent to the head-wall the lower level is expanded anddeepened, forming a pit or water-well, in which the lock-chamber tanksare manipulated, being suitably moved up and down therein. Thelock-chamber tanks are balanced open-bottomed eaissons constructed withgated lock-chambers for the reception of vessels and the necessary waterto float them and open-bottomed lower chambers containing among theseveral tanks of the system a determined quantity of compressed air atsubstantially constant working pressure, which is retained in theair-chambers by a Water seal made by the permanent immersion of thelower walls of the tanks or caissons in the water of the canal orWaterway. The air- 7 5 chambers of the respective lock chamber tanks areconnected one with the other or with a balance-tank by suitableair-conduits.

The balance-tank is weighted and gives a constant pressure to thebuoyant charge of So compressed air, compensates for changes of densitytherein induced by thermometric and barometric changes in the adjacentatmosphere, and serves as an index to the manipulator, indicating by itsposition any excess or deficiency in the volume of the air charge due toleakage or other cause.

The lift or upward pressure of the compressed-air charge on alock-chamber tank or caisson may be equal to, less than, or greater 0than the downward effort of said tank or caisson, and I provide anauxiliary mechanical apparatus connected with each of the lockchambertanks to hold it steady when desired to raise or lower it or to effector control its 5 motion.

It should be borne in mind that the exigencies of practical operationswill present conditions of infinite variety, and the arrangement ofapparatus suitable in one case may be undesirable in another. Forinstance, in

one case the conditions may be best met by providing an excess ofbuoyancy in the air charge over the effort of the weight of the chargeupon the lock-chamber tanks some what less than the normal downwardeffort of the latter when loaded, and staying them upon and raising themby the auxiliary apparatus.

The pneumatic lock, and in fact a balancelock of any type, except thosesuspended on cables, is a structure naturally in unstable equilibrium,because the center of gravity is very much above the point of support.It is therefore necessary to control the locks either by. guides or by asuitable auxiliary apparatus. Owing to the great length of the structureit is impracticable to use guides anywhere, except upon the transversecentral plane, to control the tank endwise, and because of the greatweights handled the use of such guides entails a cost which ispractically prohibitory.

and that this apparatus be automatic in its operations during the periodof manipulation,

and that itshall at such times maintain the proper level and alinementof the moving locks and instantly arrest any tendency to misalinement,for the weights being so great,,

running to fifty thousand tons and upward, and the load being theunstable element water, a slight departure from alinement would causethe water in the lock-chamber to surge to one end thereof, and thedetrimental action would be cumulative and so swift in its action anddestructive in its nature that hand regulation, which could not beapplied until the mischief was done, is out of the question.

As indicated in the patent above mentioned and as heretofore describedand constructed in balance-locks operated by hydraulics or means otherthan pneumatics, balance-locks have always been placed side by side oron one and the same level-i. (3., connecting and lockin g vesselsbetween the same pair of adjacent levels of a waterway. lVhile this isdesirable where the traffic is great enough to justify such anarrangement, there are many cases in which the requirements of commercemay be fully met by balancing one look against another 011 a differentlevel of the waterway, either above or below the first- "i. e., eachlock member of the balance'lock system operatingbetween a different pairof levelsin the waterway one in advance of the otheror by balancingseveral locks of a flight, as two, three, four, or more, at suc- It istherefore necessary to the successful operation of the looks that. theybe controlled by an auxiliary apparatus, 1

cessive levels of the waterway against one another and a common balancemember of suitable dimensions. hen a balance-lock system embodies threeor more movable looking members, the several air-chambers thereof areconnected one with the other by an airconduit, and said members aresimilar in structure and functions to those described as provided incaseswhere only two movable locking members are embodied in thebalance-lock system. Such a construction would be obviouslyimpracticable where the locks were separated by great distances, but inmany instances it would be the cheapest possible, and ample for thetraffic. Such a case would be presented in a waterway connecting lakesErie and Ontario, where the total fall could be profitably overcome withfour locks, each of eighty (80) feet lift, or two of one hundred andsixty (160) feet, set each at a different level and balanced against oneanother and a common balance-tank.

WVith locks five hundred feet long separated by basins seven hundredfeet long the total length of four locks and the intermediate basinswould be about four thousand five hundred feet, and the compressed aircould be interchanged freely among the lock-chamber tanks andthebalance-tank without exceeding the limits of good engineering practiceor entailing any considerable loss in traversing the necessarydistances. 7

The above-described relative arrangement of locks will be herein termedlocks in tandem.

Inthe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a general plan view of a pairof balance-locks located side by side, with balance-tank and hydraulicauxiliary operating and synchronizing apparatus; Fig. 2, an enlargedplan view, in fuller detail, of the balance-locks of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, alongitudinal section at the line 03 c of Figs. 1, 2, and Fig. 4, a sideview, and Fig. 5 a transverse section, of the same at the line y g ofFigs. 1 and 2; Fig. 0, an isometrical view on an enlarged scale, showingthe engagement of a lock-chamber tank with ahead-wall Fig. 7, a plan,Fig. 8 atransverse section, and Figs. 9 and 10 side views, of anauxiliary synchronizing or parallel-motion apparatus, the principalelements of which are cables and sheaves. Fig. 11 is a plan, and Fig. 12is a side view, partly in section, of a differential hydraulicparallel-motion auxiliary apparatus. Figs. 13 and 14 are enlarged planViews of a hydraulic parallelmotion auxiliary apparatus consisting in abattery of pumps witha common crank-shaft and independent hydraulicconnections. Figs. 15 and 16 are plan and side views, re spectively, ofapair of looks set tandem with an intermediate basin. Figs. 17 and 18are a plan View and a longitudinal section, respectively, of a pair oflocks set tandem without intermediate devices; Fig. 19, a top view,partly in section, and Fig. 20 a transverse section, of an improvedpontoon-gate for looks. Fig. 21 is a plan view of the main airvalve, andFigs. 22, 23, and 24 are sections showing the water-supply valvethereto. Fig. 25 is a bottom plan View of the water-supply valve.

In the practice of my invention I locate my improved balance-lock systemas may best suit the conditions of the case, providing suitablestructures, as head-walls 8, separating the several levels 1 2 200 ofthe canal or other waterway, and provided with channels or openings 4 ofsuitable dimensions,which channels are provided with gates 4 forretaining water in the levels of the waterway at periods other thanthose when vessels are being passed into and out of the said levels, andwith safety-gates 4 to be closed in case of accident to theoperating-gates 4. The lower level adjacent to the head-wall is enlargedto form a water well or pit 5 for the reception of a movable lockingmember or members, in this instance a lock-chamber tank or tanks A,according as the same may be worked in connection solely with abalance-tank or in tandem, or in pairs side by side.

1 "provide interlocking parallel guides 28 upon the head-wall 3 and thetank or tanks A, by which the latter are retained in the desiredrelation to the former and guided in their vertical movements.

The balance-tank B may be set in the well 5 or in any convenientlocation in a receptacle especially provided.

Each eifective locking member or lockchamber tank A consists in thefollowing essential elements: In its upper portion is formed alock-chamber or trough 17 having end openings or mouths 18 and gates 18,adapted to close the same and retain water in the trough or lock-chamber17, and its lower Y part is formed into a downwardly-opening air-chamber7, or a series of such chambers if the tank be cellular in structure,and a compressed-air charge is retained in such airchamber 7 or seriesof chambers by sealiug or immersing the lower walls of the tank A in thewater of the canal in the pit 5, in which the tank A operates.

In order to provide for the passage of air to and from the air-chambers7 in manipulating the looks, I form an air-conduit 9, or pref erably twoconduits on the opposite sides of the tank A and extending from theair-chambers 7 upwardly and outwardly and each provided with a valve 11to close in case of accident, and terminating in a flanged downwardoutlet 9, overhanging the side of the tank A and adapted to connect withone end of a flexible pipe or suspended loop of hose 16, the other endof which may connect with a similar downward opening on the air-pipe ofanother lock-tank A or the balance-tank B. In the practice of large andimportant work, however, I shall provide on the banks of the waterwayadjacent to the lock-tank A an air-main 13, which will have downwardopenin gs 13 similar and adjacent to and adapted to connect with those 9on the tank A by means of the loop of flexible pipe 16 above described.In the pipe 13 I may place a valve 14. In ship-canals this valve becomesso large as to require special design. I have therefore designed thevalve shown in detail in Figs. 21 to 25, inclusive. To make a valvesuited to any size pipe whatever, Iform in the air-main 13 a trap-say avertical return-bend 14 and connect therewith a water-supply pipe 14 anda waste-pipe 14, the two being valve-controlled preferably by aspecially-designed three-way valve 14. Normally this valve 14 stands insuch a position that all its ports are closed and there is free passagefor air through the return-bend 14. When it is desired to shut ofl theair connection, the water-valve 14 is manipulated and a sufficientquantity of water admitted to the return-bend to fill its lower part andtrap it, as shown in Fig. 23, and thus close the air-main 13. When it isdesired to open the air-main, the valve 14 is manipulated to open thewaste-pipe 14 and allow the water to escape from the return bend. Thevalve 14 is then returned to its first or normal position.

Figs. 22 to 25, inclusive, show the valve 14 in its three positions andshow a hollow piston-valve 14 of such length and stroke that it mayuncover the ports of either the inlet water-pipe 14 or those of thewaste-pipe 14 or entirely close both of them. The valvepiston 14 isadapted to be moved by a crank 14 and-connecting-rod 14 The shaft 14 ofthe crank l4 extends through the wall of the valve-shell, so that powermay be applied to move the valve-piston 14. It will be seen that thevalve is perfectly balanced and can be driven to do its full workproperly with the crank 14 rotated always in the same direction. I

In manipulating the looks it is desirable that the balance-tank B shallalways connect with that lock-chamber tank A which is at the timeelevated. To accomplish this, I bring a pipe 16 from the balance-tank tothe vicinity of the return-bend 14 and there provide a three-way valve16 and branches 16, connecting with the air-main on each side of thevalve 14, so that the balance-tank may be readily put in connection withthe pipe 13 on either side of the valve 14.

In my Patent No. 457,528, hereinbefore referred to, the lock system isdescribed as controlled and manipulated by the operation of a valvelocated in the air-conduit. Under my present invention this valve may beretained, its casing being marked 14 in the drawings; but I may dispensewith its use except in emergencies, as derangement of the auxiliaryoperating apparatus 0.

My balance-lock system may be operated with the valve 14 wide open andthe air-pressure practically uniform throughout the system, only varyingin pressure in the several IIO parts thereof sufficiently to overcomethe frietion incident to moving it in the manipulation of the locks.

The upward reaction of the air on a lock chamber tank A in theconstruction herein described and deemed generally most desirable willbe less than the downward effort of the tank A and its load, and a partof such eifort will be permanently borne on the auxiliary apparatus 0.

In Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, the auxiliary apparatus O is shown asconsisting in chains or cables 36, their ends being attached to oppositecorners of the lock-tank A and passing; around sheaves 37, supported onshafts 38,3 which are suitably carried in frames secured on term firmaor vice versa-i. e., the cables may be anchored to term fi rma and thesheaves attached to the tank A. The shaft 38 adjacent to the head-wallreaches from side to side of the tank A, so as to synchronize thesystems on the two sides thereof. It will be seen that this arrangementof sheaves: and cables constitutes a well-known an d perfeet parallelmotion. If it be used in its sim ple form, as shown in Fig. 9, the innerend of the lock-tank A must be overweighted and the outer end thereofpermanently superbuoyant, so that the cables will be always in tension.If the duplex arrangement shown; in Fig. 10 be used, no such precautionwill be necessary. In either case, however, the auxiliary apparatus isentirely automatic in its operations during the manipulation of thelocks, keeping them at such times in perfect alinement, for as fast asthe cables are taken up on the sheaves at one end of the lock they arepaid out from the sheaves at the other end, according to the principlesof this parallel motion. Thus the locks are kept level during theirmotion, and any tendency to misalinement in them is automaticallyarrested in its incipiency by the auxiliary apparatus.

Band-brakes 39, suitably operated, on the shafts 38 are provided tocontrol the apparatus G and steady or hold stationary the tank A. Theauxiliary apparatus 0 of the tank A may be operated by a suitableconnection; with a similar apparatus on another tank A1 of thebalance-lock system, the tank or lock-l ing member which is overweightedand descending operating both the tanks and their auxiliaries, thedescending member directly operating its own auxiliaries and by transfer of air at a pressure above the normal to the air-chamber of thelighter depressed member overcoming its downward eifort and rais-l ingit by the upward pressure of the contained air in its air-chamber, saidmember operating its own auxiliary, the brakes of both auxiliaries beingat such time released, and the auxiliaries serving to synchronize themotions and maintain levels and alinement in the moving locking membersor tanks. When the traverse is completed, the brakes are applied to theauxiliaries and the locks are case it would be generally undesirable tooverweight a locking member A, and the weight of such member or members,when loaded, would be uniform and practically in balance with the liftof the compressed air thereon, and therefore normally with no tendencyto move either way, except when powerwas applied to the auxiliarythrough the motor 40. WVhen a locking member A .was elevated ordepressed, it would he stayed from undesired motions by the applicationof the brakes 39. lVhen it was desired to manipulate the locks, thebrakes 39 would be released andpower applied through the motor to theauxiliaries, the air being simply transferred from one memberto anotherand the motion due wholly to the auxiliary systems.

hen used as above described,the auxiliary apparatus has a doublefunction, as follows: first, it automatically levels and preserves thealineinent of the locks and instantly neutralizes any tendency in themto depart from alinement, and, secondly, it serves to transmit to thelocks the power necessary to cause them to move.

In small locks of low lift I may use in lieu of the above-describedauxiliary of cables and sheaves a differential hydraulic synchroniz ingauxiliary similar to that shown in the accompanyin g drawings in Figs.11 and 12. In this auxiliary the synchroniZing-engines of the auxiliaryC are in duplicate on the two sides of the tank A. Each engine consistsin two main elements-namely, a governing member 41 and a subordinatemember 46. The governing member 41 consists in a hydraulic cylinder 42,connected by a pipe 43 with a source of hydraulic power-as, for example,an accumulator-and contains a combined piston-ram 44 44, the effectivearea of the ram 44 being one unit and the effective area of the piston44 and cylinder 42 being each two units. The sectional area of theannular space 45 between the ram 44 and the intrados of the cylinder 42is therefore one unit. The subordinate member 46 consists in a hydrauliccylinder 47 and ram 48, the effective area of which is one unit, equalto that of the annular space 45. A pipe 49 connects the annular space 45with the cylinder 47. From this construction it follows that when thepiston 44 of the governing member 41 advances one unit, one unit ofliquid is forced out of the annular space 45 into the cylinder 47 of thesubordinate member 46, and its ram 48 is moved synchronously with thepiston.-

ram 44 44 of the governing member, and vice versa. 'The'cylinders of theengine G being suitably supported on piers or otherwise and the rams 4448 being suitably connected with the tank A, it is obvious that themotions of the tank A will be controlled and synchronized by theauxiliary herein described, which is also entirely automatic in itsoperation while the locks are in motion, and instantly controls anytendency to misalinem ent,for the governed members being hydraulicallydependent upon the governing members cannot advance or retract atdifferent speeds therefrom, but must always move synchronouslytherewith. Therefore the points of the lock at which the hydraulicengines are applied are automatically controlled during their traverseand must move synchronously, thus automatically preserving the necessaryalinement. This form of the auxiliary apparatus is capable of the doublefunction of automatically preserving the alinement of the locks andinstantly neutralizing any tendency to pitch, and, further, oftransmitting to them the power necessary to move them in cases where itis undesirable to surcharge the elevated lock with water.

The abovedescribed auxiliaries are more or less limited in their use bythe mechanical diiiiculties of their construction and maintenance ingood working order. A preferred construction, especially for locks ofconsiderable lift, is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, and 14. In thisauxiliary Othe essential elements are governed by hydraulic members 50,located adjacent to the lock-chamber tank A and suitably connectedtherewith, a governing member, in this case a battery of pumps 57, andhydraulic pipes 55 55 55, connecting the governed and governing members.The operation of the governing member is controlled by the connection ofits moving parts with a positive mechanical apparatus, in this case acrank shaft 58 common to all the pumps of the battery, which areconnected to it, as shown. The mechanical controllin g apparatusi. e.,the crank-shaft 58causes all the pumps in the battery to move synchronously. Therefore the liquid in the hydraulic system moves between thegoverning and governed members through the hydraulic connections involumes dependent upon the rate of speed of the governing member, andthe motions of the governed members are thus made synchronous andparallel.

As illustrated in the auxiliary C, the hydraulic governed members arecylinders 50 50 50 50 located on term firma, being suitably supportedand stayed by structures 51 to that end provided. Pistons 52 work in thecylinders 50, and piston-rods 53 extend from the pistons 52 to pins 54:on the tank A and engage therewith. The cylinders and pistons areprovided with suit-able glands and packing, as is usual in suchapparatus, and hydraulic pipes'55 55 55 55, controlled by a and allconnected with a crank-sh aft 58, which synchronizes their motions. Iprovide a motor or motors 59, also connected with the crankshaft 58.Preferably this motor is apositive three-throw motor and the pumps arethreethrow pumps.

The motor 59 has a hydraulic supply-pipe 6O controlled by a valve 61 andan exhaust-pipe 62 controlled by a valve 63.

The cylinders connected with a tank A are arrangedand hydraulicallyconnected in pairs or sets, and each such pair or set of cylinders ishydraulically connected independently of the other sets with one of thepumps in the battery 57. Thus the cylinders 50 adjacent to the head-wall3 are connected by the pipe 55*" with the pump 57. The outer pair ofcylinders 5O are connected by the pipe 55 with the pump 57- and theintermediate cylinders 50 are connected by the pipe 55 with the pump 57.The cylinders and pumps of the several sets being suitably proportionedit follows that when the pumps 57 a 57 57 57 are operated, they beingall connected with the same crank-shaft 58, the several pistons 53 willall move synchronously.

The duty of synchronizing the movements of the tank A falls on thecylinders of the end pairs 50 adjacent to the head-wall and the outerpair 50 for the intermediate cylinders act with a neutral resultantforce at the center of the tank A and merely lift or support, while theend cylinders, by keeping the ends of the tank moving synchronously,maintain the alinement during manipulation. The intermediate cylindersare introduced to relieve the tank of strain.

In the arrangement above described dependence is placed on the guides 28to keep the tank from tilting sidewise. If no guides were introduced,each of the end cylinders controlling a tank A would have to beindependently connected by a separate hydraulic pipewith a separatepump. Such an arrangement is shown in diagram in Fig. 14. The use ofguides is preferable, and other guides 69 are introduced at convenientpoints to steady the tank sidewise. This auxiliary apparatus is entirelyautomatic in its operation during the manipulation of the locks, and atsuch times automatically controls their alinement and instantly arrestsany tendency in them to misalinement, for all the governed cylindersconnected with a locking member being independently hydraulicallyconnected with the governing member it follows that no governed membercan advance faster or slower than another. Each point of the lookingmember to which a governed hydraulic member of the hydraulic apparatusis connected moves equally with all the other such points, maintainingthe alinement automatically without care at such times from themanipulator.

The above-described auxiliary gives very great freedom in manipulatingthe lock-chamber tanks A.

\Vhere the tanks A are arranged in pairs, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5,inclusive, and 13 and 14, with the similarly located and designatedpairs or sets of cylinders connected with the similarly-designatedpumps, if it be desired to exactly balance the tanks one with the otherand maintain an unvarying depth of water in their respectivelock-chambers 17 the tanks are actuated and controlled by the pumps inthe battery 57, power being applied to the motor 59, which rotates theshaft 58 and drives the pumps, exhausting liquid from the auxiliary C ofone tank A and pumping it into the auxiliary C of the other tank A ofthe pair, lowering the one and raising the other. When a single tank Ais used in connection with a balance-tank, the operation is similarexcept that the hydraulic supply is pumped from some other sourceas, forexample, from a reservoir. It will be seen that this auxiliaryapparatus, like those heretofore described, is capable of the doublefunction of automatically preserving the alinement of the locks duringtheir translation and instantly arresting any tendency in them topitching, and, further, of causing their translation by transferring tothem the power necessary to cause them to move in cases where it isundesirable to surcharge the elevated lock.

If it be desired to overweight one tank of a pair by admitting anexcessive draft of water to its lock-chamber 17 the power to drive thepumps 57 and shaft 58 is derived from the excessive pressure on thatside of the pumps connected with the auxiliary C of the overweightedtank A. hen the valves in the hydraulic connecting-pipes are opened,admitting this excessive pressure to the pumps, the said excessivepressure sets them in motion and they practically become motors, drivingthe shaft which synchronizes them. In this case the motor 59 becomes anidle member or a brake. Obviously if its hydraulic supply-valve (31 andexhaust-valve 63 be manipulated the motion of the tank A can becontrolled thereby, being arrested when the exhaust-valve 63 is closed,free when it is wide open, and reduced when it is partly closed. Thus,it will be seen, the exhaust-valve 03 of the motor 59 can be used as themaster hydraulic valve of the system, all the other hydraulic valves insuch case being left open and an adequate supply of liquid being made tothe motor 59, for if the motor were not adequately supplied with liquidavacuum would be made in its cylinders and the motor would fail tocontrol the tank A.

In the case of apair of lock-chamber tanks provided with theabove-described auxiliary apparatus normally one tank will be elevatedand contain an excess of weight of water.

The other will be depressed and contain a minimum weight. Solong as thevalve 63 remains closed (all the other hydraulic valves being open) thebalance-lock system will remain stationary. If now the gates be closed,retaining the water in the lock-chambers ot' the respective tanks, theelevated tank detached from the head-wall, and the valve 63 be opened,the excess of weightin the elevated tank, inducing an excess of pressurein the liquid of its auxiliary apparatus over the pres sure in theauxiliary apparatus of the de pressed tank, will cause liquid to flowfrom the cylinders 50 of the elevated tank through the pipes 55 55 55 tothe corresponding connected cylinders of the depressed tank, and theoverweighted elevated tank will descend and raise the lighter depressedtank by fluid pressure transmitted to the auxiliary apparatus of thelatter, and as the rate of flow of liquid from each cylinder of thedescending tank to its connected cylinder of the ascending tank iscontrolled by the corresponding pump in the battery 57 such motions willbe absolutely synchronized and level and alinement will be perfectlymaintained. When the traverse of the lock-chamber tanks is completed,the valve 63 is closed, and they are firmly held in position until it isagain desired to manipulate them.

As described and shown, using a balancetank in connection with thelook-chamber tanks and an air-pressure less than would balance thedownward efiort ofthe loaded lock-chamber tank, the depressed tank hasno tendency to rise, except when so desired and effected by themanipulation of the valve 63, and the motion of the tanks is obviouslydue to the auxiliary apparatus, for the air charge being freelyconnected in all parts of the balance-lock system can never be subjectedto a pressure in one part substantially in excess of the normalpressure, for a very slight difference, enough to overcome the frictionof the air in the conduits, causes it to flow from one part to theother, as from a descending to an ascending tank, or to thebalance-tank, and in a well-designed lock such difference in pressure orhead can never be enough to do the work properly belonging to theauxiliary apparatus.

here the lock-ch amber tanks are designed to work independently one ofanother, as in a series, or in case of a single lock-chamber tank inconnection with a balance-tank, the hydraulic auxiliary apparatus of alock-chamber tank may be directly connected with an accumulator or pumpand operated by an independent valve, and, if a pump be used,withoutnecessarily varying the depth and weight of the water in thelock-chamber, the pump being driven by a motor directly connected with asource of power. A mechanism or organization of such character should inany case be provided to make good any leakage, and one is shown in Figs.2 and 14, in which a pump Si is driven by a motor (.55 and supplies anaccumulator 66, which is connected with the auxiliary apparatus 0 bypipes 67, so controlled by valves 68 that liquid from the pump andaccumulator can be admitted to any part of the system. WVhile theprimary object of this organizationis to make good any accidentalleakage, it is obviously equally adapted, if made sufficientlylarge andpowerful, to move the lock-chamber tank by the direct application ofpower to the pump 64 without varying the load of the tank A.

The hydraulic auxiliary apparatus has been described as applied to alock-chamber tank in connection with an air charge less than sufficientto balance the same when loaded and adapted to raise and support thelockchamber tank. If so desired, the mode of application may be variedto actuate a lockchamber tank in equilibrium with its air-pressure or todepress and hold down a lock-chamber tank rendered superbuoyant by theexcess of lift in its air charge over the downward effort of its weight.

The above-described hydraulic engine may also be applied in the form ofa parallel-motion apparatus to looks other than pneumatic balance-locksof the type herein described. VVind-pressure on the side of a lock willinduce increased pressure in the auxiliary apparatus on the lee side andbe transmitted thereby as a torsional strain tending to twist thelock-chamber upon the guides 28 and 69.

Figs. 15 and 16 show balance-locks set tandem, the movable lockingmember A in the intermediate level 2 of the canal balancing with themovable locking member A in the lower level 200, and, if desired, with abalance member 13. The water-well 5 in which the upper lock-chamber tankA operates is connected with a basin 2 between it and the pierced andgated head-wall 3, adjacent to and below which the other movable lockingmember A operates. By this arrangement vessels can descend in the upperlocking member A and ascend in the lower one A simultaneously, pass oneanother in the basin 2, and continue their journey with minimumdetention at the looks.

The lock-chamber tanks could obviously be drawn close together with orwithout a headwall between them; but such an arrangement would be onlyhalf as efiieient as that shown in Figs. 15 and 16, as in the formercase one lock-chamber tank must move with out carrying a vessel (unlessthe locks be made wide enough to accommodate two vessels side by side)to meet its fellow which is doing useful work, whereas in the otherarrangement both tanks can do useful work at every traverse.

Figs. 17 and 18 show a pair of movable looking members set tandem, asdescribed, without an intermediate head-wall, both tanks working in theone well 5 of the lower level 2 of the waterway. The movable lookingmember A adjacent to the head-wall is held by interlocking parallelguides 28 attached to the head-wall and to the member A. The outermember A is held and guided by the interlocking parallel guides 28 onthe adjacent ends of the two tanks. The upper member A adjacent to thehead-wall is made higher than the lower one A by half the height of thetotal lift, and the system is adapted to receive a vessel from the upperlevel 1 of the waterway into the adjacent member A, which lowers ithalf-way. the two members are connected, the vessel is passed into theother member A and lowered into the lower level 9 of the waterway, orvice versa.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the lock-chamber tank embodies atype of structure adapted to the largest locks for ship-canals. Thestructure is designed to be built of steel with the members necessary tothe successful manipulation of the lock and its use by vessels soarranged and combined that in addition to their operative functions theyalso constitute the main elements of the frame or truss work of thestructure, which is in two main structural divisions, of which the upperG constitutes a box-girder and is adapted to sustain all strains andshocks which may come upon it from accidents or unequal loading, whilethe lower division H, not being exposed to accidental strains, isadapted simply to sustain the normal internal stresses due to thefunctions and manipulation of the tanks. The outer walls 6 of theair-chamber cells 7 are disposed in curved surfaces in equilibrium withthe internal air-pressure, being segments of cylinders with nearlyvertical axes, suspended from the upper division or box-girder structureG above described and united at their lines of intersection with thetransverse partitions 8, which form ties sustaining the resultanttensile stresses of the curvilinear walls 6. This form of structurebeing practically an assemblage of pipes onend and subject only totensile strain requires no framing.

The upper division or box-girder Ghas for webs the side walls 7 O of thelock-chamber 17, for flanges the floor 71 thereof and top plates 72 andfenders 7 3, united with the walls and extending lengthwise of the look,while the stiffeners are formed of upward extensions of the curvilinearouter walls 6 and girder constructions 7 4;, uniting the saidcurvilinear walls with the walls 70 of the lockchamber and conveyingstrains between them. The side walls 70 of the lock-chamber 17 are cutaway at the ends adjacent to the end openings 18 to allow the gates 18to run behind them when opened. At these places the strains are carriedalong the box-girder division G by the top plates 7 2, which bridge overthe openings made for the passage of the gates, and by plate-girderconstructions 70 beneath the floor 71 of the lock-chamber 17. I proposeto use a working air-pressure, such that when a lock-chamber tank A isin its lowest position there will still be an air-cushion of severalfeet between the floor 71 of the hen I lock-chamber 17 and the surfaceof the water within the airchamber 7. Hence it follows that the upwardair-pressure on the floor of the lock-chamber exceeds the downwardeffort of the floor and its load, and the floor must be held down; also,the water in the loelechamber 17 exerts hydrostatic pressure on the sidewalls thereof when the tank A is elevated and tends to overturn them,and in looks designed for ships it is impracticable to tie them togetherabove the floor-line. To hold down the floor 71, I provide transversegirder constructions 7a, of which those 74E above referred to are upwardextensions, and longitudinal Z-bars 75, united with the floor 71 andgirders 74.

I provide eantaliver-girders 7 6, the axes of which are coincident withthe planes of the partitions 8, and which extend downwardly as columnsto sustain the strains due to the connections with the hydraulicpiston-rods 53 and upwardly as cantalivers to sustain the hydrostaticoverturning moment on the sides of the lock-chamber. Y

The cantaliver-girders 7 t5, the transverse girders 74:, and the upwardextensions 7 4: thereof, together with the floor 71 and side walls ofthe lock-chamber, the top plates 72, and fenders 7 3, and the connectedupper parts of the curvilinear outer walls 6 are all united to form atroughshaped framed structure constituting the box-girder G and adaptedto sustain the stresses due to the functions and manipulations of thelock and all accidental strains and shocks that may come upon it.

Figs. 19 and 20 show in detail the lock-gate 80, which is employed inthe balance-lock construction herein set forth and which is animprovement on the well-known pontoongate. The contact or seating face81 of this gate is a surface of revolution about a vertical axis,preferably a segment of a vertical cylinder, as is the contact orseating face 82 on the seat 83, against which the gate fits to make ajoint and retain the water. The gate is preferably built hollow, and itsback wall 8i may be a vertical cylindrical segment forming a gate,crescent-shaped in plan, with easy lines for cleaving the water, and thebest form to eombinestrength with lightness and mobility.

I-provide wheels 101, set horizontally 011 vertical axes, on the bottomof the gate 80,which retain the gate in its circular path when opened bytheir engagement with the convex surface of a track or rail 96 on thelock-floor. This arrangementis used in the movable looking member A. Forthe gates at in the head wall openings 4:, and generally when thestructure of the lock does not prevent it, I prefer to use thearrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 5,

inclusive, and by the dotted lines in the lefthand side of Fig. 19 andin full lines in the right-hand side of said figure and in Fig. 20, inwhich cases I provide an arm 85, which may be bifurcated, attached tothe bottom of the gate at one or more points and extend ing horizontallyto the axis of the cylinder of which the contact or seating face 81 is asegment, and on the arm 85 a bearing 80 engaging with a stud 87 attachedto the bottom of the lock, with its axis coincident with the axis of theface 82 of the seat 83, against which the gate is to rest when closed.

The back wall 84: of the gate 80 is always submerged while the lock isin operation, but the outer face is dry each time that the lock ismanipulated. I take advantage of this fact to perforate the outer faceof the gate with an opening or openings 88, at such height relatively tothe surface of the water in the levels in the waterway when thelock-ehamber tank iselevated or depressed that when the outer face ofthe gate is dry the openings 88 are exposed and that part of theinterior of the gate above said openings becomes filled with air, whilewhen the gate has water at the same level on each side, as must be thecase when it is to be opened, either when the lock chamber tank israised and connected to the head-wall with its mouth 18 registering withthe gated opening 4 thereof, in which case water is admitted to thespacebetween the gate of the lock and that of the head-wall to equalize thepressure on the gates, or when the lock-chamber tank is at the lowerlevel, if the gate be at the outer end thereof. Then, however the gatebe placed, when the water is at a normal level on both sides thereof,the openings 88 are trapped by the water and a buoyant charge of air iscaught and retained in the upper part of the interior of the hollowpontoon-gate 80, excluding water therefrom and giving the gate buoyancy,so that it can be moved with minimum effort, the motion being concentricabout the axis of the contact-surfaces.

To move the gate rapidly, I provide awhee1- segment 89 on the topthereof and a suitablyrotated meshing member, as a pinion 90 on the lockor wall, said pinion being provided with hearings in a suitable frame 92and adapted to be rotated by a motor 93, or by hand, as may be desired.To provide means to move the gates, in case of accident to the pinion90, I also provide sockets 94:, in which bars or levers may be insertedto move the gate by manual power should it be necessary to do so. I alsoprovide wheels 95 in the bottom of the gate and a curved track or tread90 on the lock, on which the wheels 95 may run, so that the gate may bereadily opened, if desired, when the lock is emptied of water.

In practice it will probably be found best to provide buoyancy in thegate, as above described, somewhat less than the weight of the gateas,say, nine-tenths of its weight-putting a permanent load on the wheels 95sufficient to keep the gate from moving vertically. A valve 97, in orattached to the top member of the gate, is provided in connection withits interior, so that the air contained therein may be drawn out, ifdesired.

ICO

The above-described gate is preferably made of steel or iron, withforged or east end posts 98 and top and bottom plate members 99 andintermediate horizontal girders 100 to give the necessary strength. Itmay, however, be built of wood or other material and be loaded to thedesired extent to give -the requisite stability and evenness of motion.As will be readily understood, this gate has a crank motion about theaxis of the socket 86 and pin 87, concentric with the faces 82 of theseat 83, and its motion is confined to such a concentric path by the arm85 and the engagement of the pin and socket 87 and 86.

I have described my balance-lock system as embodying in each case abalance-tank, which is the most advantageous arrangement. Thebalance-tank may, however, in some cases be dispensed with, if economyis imperative, and the lock-chamber tanks provided with a seal deepenough to permit considerable variations in the volume of the aircharge,the buoyant effect of which will vary correspondingly and throw agreater or less part of the weight on the auxiliary apparatus. In suchcase a pressure-gage should be provided to show the air-charge, so thatin case the air-charge varies in pressure beyond the limits of safetythe manipulator can blow out or pump in air to restore normal conditionsof pressure and volume in the air charged.

To clean out the water well or pit 5, I may provide a pump 3%. Torestore air lost by leakage, I may provide a small blower or blastengineThese and a motor 32 to drive them, which may also actuate thehigh-pressure pump 64: of the auxiliary hydraulic syn chronizing andoperating apparatus, and the accumulator 06 may be located at anyconvenient place, as shown in Fig. 2.

Having thus described my invention, I will now explain its operation,first describing the mode of manipulating a pair of tanks balanced oneagainst the other, either side by side or tandem, with a smallbalance-tank.

One of the lock-chamber tanks is elevated and connected to thehead-wall, its mouth registering with and making a tight joint againstthe adjacent mouth of the head-wall, and the adjacent gates in thehead-wall and lock-chamber are opened to admit a vessel to the latter.The other lock-chamber tank is lowered in the water-well and its outergate is opened, permitting its lock-chamber to communicate freely withthe lower level of the waterway.

The lock-chamber tanks are held firmly in position by the combinedbuoyant-air charge and the auxiliary apparatus, the valve 63,controlling the latter, being closed to that end. The vertical movementsof the lock-chamber tanks are so adjusted that at such time thedepressed tank contains a minimum depth of water-say twenty-nine feetandthe elevated tank contains a maximum depth of watersay thirty and a halffeet. The elevated tank, therefore, exerts an excess of pressure overthe pressure of the depressed tank upon the auxiliary apparatus, the airbeing kept at constant pressure and uniform liftingpower by the freecommunication of the airchambers of the lock-chamber tanks with oneanother and with the balance-tank. If now the adjacent gates in thehead-wall and elevated tank and the gate of the depressed tank beclosed, the elevated tank released from the head-wall, and the valve 63controlling the auxiliary apparatus be opened, the excess of weight inthe elevated tank, its liquid positive support being released, willsufficiently compress the air in the air-chamber thereof to expel itinto the air-chamber of the depressed tank, and will induce a pressureand lifting effort in the auxiliary apparatusin excess of the effort onsaid apparatus of the lighter depressed tank, and the elevated tank willdescend and raise the depressed tank, reversing their relativepositions. Where the hydraulic auxiliary apparatus is used, the liquidthereof is forced out of the cylinders thereof on the elevated tank bythe excess of weight thereon and passes through the connected pipes 5555 55 and the pumps of the battery 57, transmitting power in controlledform to the cylinders of the auxiliary apparatus of the depressed tank,exerting a lifting power thereon and raising it. Thus the lock-chambertanks descend and ascend uniformly and in perfect level and alinement.Vhen the traverse of the tanks is complete the valve (33 is closed, thenewly elevated or raised tank is connected to the adjacent mouth of thehead-wall, the gates are opened, additional water to the maximum depthis admitted to the raised tank, the vessels just looked proceed on theirjourney, and the system is ready for another lockage.

\Vhen the locks are not worked in pairs, but withindependently-connected auxiliary apparatuses, the operation is thesame, except that the power is derived from a motor or accumulator andpump, and the liquid from and to the cylinders of the auxiliary ispumped in or extracted by that means.

here the members of a flight of looks set tandem with large balance-tankare connected together, the operation of the several auxiliaryapparatuses is preferably independent one of the other and worked inconnection with a pump or accumulator, the load of the tanks beingvaried or not, as the experience of the manipulator may dictate. Any onelookchamber tank or a number of them in such a flight may move quiteindependently of the others, the large balance-tank serving as apneumatic accumulator to supply or receive the air-charge when anotherlook is not moving, and the accumulator receiving the liquid from orsupplying it to the cylinders of the auxiliary apparatus or the pumpsoperating them directly, as may be desired.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent I 1. In abalance-lock system for waterways the combination of a movable memberprovided with a lock-chamber and a downwardlyopening air chamber withits lower walls sealed in the water of the lower level of the waterwayand which is connected by a conduit with a source of compressed air, andan auxiliary apparatus automaticallycontrolling the motions thereofsubstantially as set forth.

2. In a balance-lock system for waterways the combination of a movablemember having a gated lock-chamber and a downwardlyopening air chamberwith its lower walls sealed in the water of the lower level of thewaterway, a second movable member having a downwardly-openingair-chamber with its lower walls similarly sealed, a conduit connectingthe air-chambers of the said members and an auxiliary apparatusautomatically controlling the locking member, sub stantially as setforth.

3. In a balance-lock system for waterways the combination of a structureretaining water at a desired higher level in a section of a waterway, agated mouth therein, a movable member provided with a gated lock-chamberand a downwardly-opening air-chamber with its lower walls sealed in thewater of the lower level of the waterway, a second movable memberprovided with a downwardly-openin g airchamber with its lower wallssimilarly sealed, a conduit connecting the air-chambers of the twomembers, and an auxiliary apparatus automatically controlling the locking members, substantially as set forth.

4. In a balance-lock system for waterways the combination of a structureretaining water at a desired upper level in a section of a waterway, agated mouth therein, a movable member provided with a gatedlock-chamber, and a downwardlyopening air-chamber with its lower wallssealed in the water of the lower level of i the waterway, guidesretaining the said member laterally, a second movable member providedwith a downwardly-opening air-chamber with its lower walls similarlysealed, a conduit connecting the air-chambers of the two members, and anauxiliary automatically-controlling apparatus, substantially as setforth.

5. In a balance-lock system for waterways the combination of a movablemember provided with a gated lock-chamber and a downwardly-opening.air-chamber with its lower walls sealed in the water of the lower levelof the Waterway, a second movable member with a downwardly-openingair-chamber and its lower walls similarly sealed, a conduit connectingthe air-chambers of the two members, the second member inducing apractically uniform pressure upon the air-charge which pressure is notsufficient to balance the first-named member when loaded, and anautomatically-controllin g apparatus connected with the first-namedmember, substantially as set forth.

6. In a balance-lock system for waterways the combination withwaterway-sections located at higher and lower levels respectively, of astructure retaining the upper level, a gated mouth therein, a movablemember adjacent thereto, interlocking parallel guides on said structureand on the movable member, a gated lock-chamber and a downwardlyopeningair'chamber provided in the movable member, said air-chamber having itslower walls sealed in the water of the lower level, a second movablemember provided with a downwardly-opening air-chamber withsimilarly-sealed lower walls, a conduit connecting the air-chambers ofthe two members, and auxiliary automatically-controlling apparatusconnected with the first-named member, substantially as set forth.

7. In a balance-lock system for waterways, the combination of astructure retaining water at a desired higher level in a section of awaterway, a gated mouth therein, a movable member adjacent thereto, andprovided with a gated lockchamber and a downwardlyopening airchamberwith its lower walls sealed in the water of the lower level, a secondand similarly-constructed movable member located adjacent to a structureretaining a higher level in the waterway, a conduit connecting theair-chambers thereof, and auXil-.

iary automatically-controllin g apparatus substantially as set forth.

8. In a balance-lock system for waterways, the combination of astructure retaining water at a desired higher level in a section of awaterway, a gated mouth therein, a movable member adjacent theretoprovided with a gated lock-chamber and a downwardly-openin g air-chamberwith its lower walls sealed in the water of the lower level, a secondand similarlyconstructed movable member located adjacent to a structureretaining water at a desired level of the waterway, and a balance memberwith a downwardly-opening airchamber with its lower walls similarlysealed, conduits connecting the air-chambers of the several members andan auxiliary automatically-controlling apparatus, substantially as setforth.

9. In a balance-lock system for waterways, the combination of astructure retaining water at a desired higher level in a section of awaterway, a gated mouth therein, a movable member provided with a gatedlock-chamber and a downwardly-openingair-chamber with its lower wallssealed in the water of the lower level, a second andsimilarlyconstructed movable member located adjacent toa structure.retaining water at a desired level of the waterway, a movable balancemember with a downwardly-opening air-chamber and similarly-sealed lowerwalls, a conduit or conduits connecting the air-chambers of the movablemembers, the balance-member being adapted to induce a practicallyuniform pressure in the air-charge not sufficient to balance the loadedmovable lock members first described, and automatically-controllin gapparatus con-

